Lebanon's Salam declares 'era of impunity' over after five Hezbollah members arrested in north

Lebanon's Internal Security Forces arrested five Hezbollah members in the Batroun-Bcharre highlands on Tuesday. The men carried maps and documents, some allegedly destroyed before arrest. PM Nawaf Salam declared 'the era of impunity is over.' MP Ghassan Yazbeck suggested Hezbollah planned sectarian violence, citing the group's past justifications for smuggling explosives.

Lebanon's Internal Security Forces arrested five Hezbollah members in the border area between the Batroun and Bcharre highlands in northern Lebanon on Tuesday. The men were reportedly carrying maps and documents, some of which they allegedly attempted to destroy before being taken into custody. The ISF patrol encountered them by chance, according to Al-Modon. The documents contained lists of locations across the Koura, Batroun, and Bsharri districts, as well as references to weapons including sniper rifles. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, speaking from Turkey, said 'the era of impunity is over' and that investigations would have no limits beyond the law. MP Ghassan Yazbeck suggested Hezbollah may have been planning sectarian violence, noting the area is not close to Israel. He criticized the government's laxity in confronting Hezbollah's military activities.